More than 600 cyclists took part in the SAKSHAM 2021 Cyclothon organized by Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) on 31st  January 2021 in Silchar as part of SAKSHAM 2021 Cyclothon being observed in 300 cities simultaneously across the country organized by Oil and Gas PSUs.

Promoted under the slogan Green and Clean Energy to create awareness on health, environment and fuel conservation, the Cyclothon followed an about  6 km route starting from the Police Parade Ground, Silchar via Tennis Club via State Bank via Narshimtula to culminate at Radiant English school, Nagatilla point. The event was organized with due consideration to social distancing protocols.

Cyclothon is part of SAKSHAM (Sanrakshan Kshamta Mahotsav) 2021, a month-long campaign observed across the country from 16th January 2021to 15^th February 2021  promoted under the tagline ‘ Green and Clean Energy’. Spearheaded by Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) with the help of Public Sector Oil & Gas companies under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG), Govt. of India, the objective of this campaign is to sensitize the masses about the conservation and efficient use of petroleum products for better health and environment.

The Cyclothon was flagged off by Dy. Speaker, Assam Assembly Aminul Haque Laskar who was the Chief Guest for the event in presence of MLA Silchar Dilip Paul DC, Cachar Keerthi Jalli, SP Cachar Bhanwar Lal Meena, CEO Zila Parisad Silchar Deepshikha Dey, GM ( Mktg) NRL Subrata Das, DGM (Corporate Communications) NRL Madhuchanda Adhikari and a host of other dignitaries.

Youth icon and paracyclist Rakesh Banik graced the occasion and motivated the hundreds of children and youths who thronged Police Parade ground at 6.00 AM in the morning.

GM (Mktg) NRL Subrata Das welcomed the gathering and enunciated about SAKSHAM and its objectives. This was followed by SAKSHAM pledge taking on oil and gas conservation led by DGM (Corporate Communications) NRL Madhuchanda Adhikari.

Chief Guest in his speech exhorted the youths and children to make cycling a part of their daily life to stay healthy and fit. MLA Dilip Paul in his address talked about the need to come back to a basic lifestyle practiced in the past which included cycling, to combat issues of pollution, health and conservation. DC Keerthi Jalli spoke about the need for oil and gas conservation that are non-renewable sources of energy and request everyone to adopt sustainable habits and solutions for a better future. SP, B L Meena thanked NRL for the initiative taken in promoting cycling in Silchar.